From NHL’s most chaotic mascot to Hilton’s release of their famous cookie recipe, these are the things that made us smile today.
Welcome to #NotBadNews, our new (and hopefully short-lived) daily column where we round up the good, surprising, and weird things that have happened around the world during this coronavirus pandemic.
The Women in Science Getting Stuff Done
Afghanistan, like many other countries around the world, is struggling to care for all the patients coming down with coronavirus as hospitals become overcrowded. To meet the demand for ventilators, this all-girls robotic team has started producing their own using old car parts.
This all-girls robotics team in Afghanistan has built a cheap ventilator from car parts to treat coronavirus patients, as the country struggles with the pandemic.
— FierceWarriorNStilettos (@InactionNever) April 13, 2020
This team of women has shown incredible ingenuity and acted in a time when few others have. Elon Musk who?
A Veteran Walks for NHS
This 99-year-old veteran had one goal to raise $1,250 for NHS before his 100th birthday. His plan: walk 100 laps around his back-yard.
I’m Captain Tom Moore, war veteran, 99 years of age (soon to be 100) and I’m walking for the NHS to raise money for our heroes.https://t.co/M1dkvoV3kE
— Captain Tom Moore (@captaintommoore) April 10, 2020
When Tom Moore began his walk, his goal felt somewhat lofty but possible, suddenly it became much more than just doable. After his family posted the fundraiser to various social media platforms, Moore’s charity-walk started to gain a lot of traction, so much so that the website crashed. Now, only a few weeks away from his 100th birthday, Moore has raised over $9 million for NHS, Britain’s publicly funded health-care system. Talk about an incredible birthday gift!
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TikTok’s Hottest New Star
Though she might be a little older than most TikTok favorites, Judy Dench has showed she’s got what it takes to become an icon on the app. For a bit of family bonding, the actress joined her grandson remotely, showing she’s still got the moves.
Judi Dench’s grandson is doing TikTok dances with her over FaceTime. I’m obsessed. pic.twitter.com/7yX08ib0rP
— Claire Dikecoglu (@claireyfairy1) April 15, 2020
Let’s be honest, she nailed it. Sorry to her grandson, but a star is a star.
A Much-Needed Dance Party
One woman, joined by her son, has been driving by her parents’ house to make sure the couple has everything they might need. On this day, it seemed all they really needed was a little bit of fun. Cue the music.
My parents are 75 and 84. My son & I do frequent drive-by visits to make sure they have what they need. Today, I guess they needed to party. pic.twitter.com/1jmaQCtGvy
— Alisa Renee’ (@AuthorAlisa) April 15, 2020
I think we can all take a note from them—sometimes amid quarantine, what we need might just be a little fun!
Our Favorite Mascot Has a New Skill
Whether or not you follow the NHL, you probably know who Gritty is–but in case you don’t, Gritty is the Philadelphia Flyer’s giant furry orange mascot with googly eyes. It’s unclear exactly what Gritty is, but the sheer mystery and chaos of it all makes him incredibly charismatic!
I AM THE TIGER KING pic.twitter.com/SYT21bFMDv
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) March 27, 2020
Trading in a puck for a ping pong ball, Gritty showed us his new skill acquired in quarantine. Setting up pots and pans, he expertly lands the ball in the bucket every time.
I’M NOT BORED pic.twitter.com/lZJZKTJH0b
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) April 16, 2020
While a challenge wasn’t directly stated or implied, we would like to see other mascots give this a try. Will Gritty reign supreme?
A Cookie Recipe to Make Your Home Feel Like a Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton has released their famous chocolate-chip cookie recipe, so take a break from sourdough for something a bit sweeter (and 100 times easier). The cookie recipe is a little more in-depth than most, especially if you’re used to a break-and-bake, but is there anything better than a warm and welcoming cookie? So raid your pantry and break out your apron, this weekend we’re baking!
The Nuns Channeling Lebron
Introducing the church’s newest team! With everything closed, these nuns in Sevilla, Spain took to the basketball courts.
Nuns playing basketball at a monastery in Sevilla, Spain while sheltered in place for the coronavirus. Hoops makes the world go around.pic.twitter.com/53oKV5GnNU
— Michael Dolan (@mikedolanny) April 16, 2020
Forget the celebrity game, we want to see these women go head-to-head with the NBA greats.
Check-in every day for an update on the wonderful and weird things happening in our current coronavirus world.